'Earn it' - Apollon boss sends message to Sheffield Wednesday striker Iké Ugbo as opportunities prove limited
Iké Ugbo has made just three substitute appearances since joining Apollon Limassol on loan from Sheffield Wednesday during the summer.
Apollon Limassol manager Hernán Losada has said Iké Ugbo and his fellow attackers must continue to show more in training as the Sheffield Wednesday striker continues to search for more opportunities in Cyprus.
Ugbo joined the Cypriot club on a season-long loan last month after his Owls career had come to a halt. The striker barely featured for Wednesday in the second half of last season, making just three appearances between Christmas and the end of the campaign.
Ugbo asked Wednesday to facilitate a fresh start for him during the summer transfer window, with the objective of him getting back to his best for the benefit of himself and the club.
However, his switch to Apollon has so far failed to trigger the resurrection he was hoping for, with his stint in Cyprus having so far been made up of three appearances. Each of his three outings have been as a substitute, meaning he has been restricted to just 70 minutes worth of football so far this season.
He stepped off the bench in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with APOEL Nicosia, replacing Emanuel Aiwu with 21 minutes to go. Dani Escriche has established himself as Apollon’s chief striker so far this season, meaning Ugbo is having to bide his time to force his way into boss Losada’s starting XI.
Losada, addressing why summer signings Joel Asoro and Ugbo have struggled for regular opportunities, told the club’s website: “Asoro is not a striker, he is a winger. Ugbo is a No.9. Escriche played very well against Omonia and I think he deserved to start again today. From there, you have to earn these opportunities.
“How do you earn them? By showing me in training that you are ready to play more minutes than you have played until now. I am not giving minutes for free just because you came as a new player and you have to play. No, you have to earn those minutes.
“It goes for a young player, an experienced player, a new player or an established player. You have to earn it. From Monday to Friday, we train for two hours a day, or an hour and a half a day.
“You do not see all those hours of training. You do not see what happens from Monday to Friday. I conduct the training sessions, rewatch them, watch the opponent and watch our own games. Based on all that information, I draw my conclusions and make my decisions. That is why I get paid.
“If you feel that some players did not get enough minutes, it is because they did not earn those minutes. And when they get their minutes, they also need to show that they are ready. Whether it is five minutes, two minutes, ten, 25 like today, or a full extra time, as it was against Brann.
“We also must not forget that Cyprus is not a regular country. It is an island, with different weather and a different competition. You need time to adapt.
“This happens to a lot of players. That is why patience is a key word for me as a coach, for you as journalists and for the supporters. The season has just started, it is very long and we will need all of them.”